How to enjoy the National Cherry Blossom Festival from home

By Valerie Bonk
March 27, 2020 | 5:04 AM

While roads are closed and access to the Cherry Blossoms are restricted to prevent crowds during the Coronavirus outbreak, that doesn’t mean the festival is shut down completely.

The National Cherry Festival has gone virtual this year, with performances available online as well as a 24/7 “bloom cam,” which shows the trees from various angles, even at night.

The live look at the Cherry Blossoms rotates views every 60 seconds showing the trees along with the Martin Luther King, Jr., Thomas Jefferson and other memorials.

Other video features include a tour of the Tidal Basin and opening ceremony videos.

Various videos and activities will be added throughout the next few weeks through April 12, which was the original end date of this year’s National Cherry Blossom Festival.

Officials warn wildland firefighters about the risks of using a supplement for smoke exposure

By The Associated Press
August 23, 2026 | 1:02 PM

SEATTLE (AP) — Fire and medical officials have issued warnings about a supplement offered to Western wildland firefighters who have been exposed to toxic chemicals while battling some of the country's biggest blazes. The supplement glutathione, given through an IV or an inhaler-like machine called a nebulizer, has not been proven to be safe or effective and could expose firefighters to illness if there is contamination while it's produced, experts say. At least two pharmacies recalled the supplement in August due to bacterial contamination found during testing at their labs, with one saying it had received reports of people suffering from fever, chills, severe headache and other symptoms. “Because glutathione is not an FDA-approved drug, consumers should be cautious about product safety and claims that glutathione can treat or prevent diseases,” said a safety advisory issued last week by the International Association of Firefighters, a labor union representing some 360,000 first responders.

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